Fine Art Poster
From £37
A giclée print on 200gsm matte fine art paper, using a twelve-colour process for accurate, fade-resistant colour. Supplied unframed, delivered flat or rolled.
Merzbild Alf - Kurt Schwitters
Regular price
£37.00 GBP
Sale price
£37.00 GBP
Regular price
Archival giclée
Frames arrive ready to hang
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Made to order
Description
A seminal Dada assemblage by Kurt Schwitters, featuring a tactile composition of found objects, paper, and paint on board.
Kurt Schwitters developed his unique artistic philosophy, which he termed Merz, in post-First World War Hanover. This work, Merzbild Alf, demonstrates his method of repurposing discarded materials to construct new aesthetic realities. Rather than relying on traditional painting techniques, Schwitters integrated physical objects into the surface of the board, creating a tactile composition that blurs the boundary between two-dimensional art and three-dimensional sculpture.
The composition incorporates fragments of paper, wood, and other found elements, arranged with a deliberate sense of balance. The inclusion of the word 'Alf' serves as a typographic element, a common feature in his work where text functions as both a visual shape and a linguistic signifier. The colour palette is largely earth-toned, relying on the natural hues of the salvaged materials, punctuated by subtle applications of paint that unify the disparate components. The wooden frame, which appears integrated into the overall construction, reinforces the object-like quality of the piece.
Schwitters sought to elevate the mundane and the overlooked, finding potential in the debris of urban life. By removing these items from their original context, he invited the viewer to reconsider the nature of art and the materials that constitute it. This approach was a reaction against the perceived failures of traditional art forms in the wake of the conflict in Europe. His work remains a significant example of the Dadaist impulse to dismantle established hierarchies of value. The construction is not merely a collection of refuse, but a carefully considered arrangement that explores texture, form, and the interplay between light and shadow. Through his Merz practice, Schwitters challenged the definition of the artist as a creator of original imagery, positioning himself instead as an organiser of existing reality.
Return policy
Because every print is made to order, we don't offer change-of-mind returns, refunds or exchanges. If your order arrives faulty, damaged or incorrect, we'll replace it free of charge — just contact us within 48 hours of delivery. See our refunds page for full details.
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We ship worldwide, printing at the production hub nearest to your delivery address. Delivery times and costs vary by destination — you'll see the options available to you at checkout.
Manufacturing
Each print is produced to order using 12-colour giclée printing on FSC-certified archival paper. Designed in Britain and printed at your nearest production hub to reduce waste and speed up delivery.
Complete The Look
Merzbild Alf - Kurt Schwitters
Regular price
From £37.00 GBP
Sale price
From £37.00 GBP
Regular price
Fine Art Poster / Small Square (30x30 cm) / -
Artist Biography
Kurt Schwitters
Schwitters built an artwork inside his house in Hanover. Starting around 1923, the Merzbau grew outward from a column of collaged objects in his studio until there was barely room to live. He worked on it for sixteen years. Allied bombing destroyed it in 1943. He built a second Merzbau in Lysaker, Norway. The Nazis invaded; he abandoned it. It burned down in 1951. He started a third at Cylinders Farm in the English Lake District. He died in January 1948, leaving it unfinished.
He was born in Hanover in 1887, an only child whose father ran a ladies' clothing shop. He suffered from epilepsy throughout his life. He fled to Norway in 1937, then to Scotland in 1940, where he was classified as an enemy alien and interned in camps including Hutchinson Camp on the Isle of Man. While interned, he allegedly made small sculptures from leftover oatmeal.
His art, which he called Merz (a fragment of the word Kommerz), used collage, found objects, poetry, sound art, typography, and installation. He worked across Dadaism, Constructivism, and Surrealism, often simultaneously. He was largely neglected by the time he died.
He was born in Hanover in 1887, an only child whose father ran a ladies' clothing shop. He suffered from epilepsy throughout his life. He fled to Norway in 1937, then to Scotland in 1940, where he was classified as an enemy alien and interned in camps including Hutchinson Camp on the Isle of Man. While interned, he allegedly made small sculptures from leftover oatmeal.
His art, which he called Merz (a fragment of the word Kommerz), used collage, found objects, poetry, sound art, typography, and installation. He worked across Dadaism, Constructivism, and Surrealism, often simultaneously. He was largely neglected by the time he died.
Our Features
Designed for Lasting Impact
Specific Features
Every Solis piece is made to order with archival, gallery-quality materials built to last.
- Museum-grade giclée printing for rich, fade-resistant colour
- Archival matte fine-art paper, FSC-certified
- Multiple sizes and framing options available
- Frames in black, natural wood, dark wood or white
- Framed prints arrive ready to hang
Care & Cleaning
To keep your artwork looking its best:
- Dust gently with a soft, dry cloth
- Avoid prolonged direct sunlight
- Never use liquid cleaners on the print or canvas surface
- Keep in a dry, room-temperature space
- Handle prints with clean, dry hands
Materials & Sizing
Museum-grade giclée on FSC-certified archival matte paper, with framed and canvas options.
- Paper sizes: A4, A3, A2, A1, A0 and B2 (50×70 cm)
- Canvas: XS (20×30 cm) to Large (60×90 cm)
- Frames: black, natural wood, dark wood or white
Made to order
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Every piece is printed to order. These are the five finishes, and what makes each one different.
Fine Art Framed
From £59
The same fine art print in a solid wood frame with UV-protective acrylic glaze and rigid backing. Five frame colours. Arrives ready to hang.
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Artist Biography
Kurt Schwitters
Schwitters built an artwork inside his house in Hanover. Starting around 1923, the Merzbau grew outward from a column of collaged objects in his studio until there was barely room to live. He worked on it for sixteen years. Allied bombing destroyed it in 1943. He built a second Merzbau in Lysaker, Norway. The Nazis invaded; he abandoned it. It burned down in 1951. He started a third at Cylinders Farm in the English Lake District. He died in January 1948, leaving it unfinished.
He was born in Hanover in 1887, an only child whose father ran a ladies' clothing shop. He suffered from epilepsy throughout his life. He fled to Norway in 1937, then to Scotland in 1940, where he was classified as an enemy alien and interned in camps including Hutchinson Camp on the Isle of Man. While interned, he allegedly made small sculptures from leftover oatmeal.
His art, which he called Merz (a fragment of the word Kommerz), used collage, found objects, poetry, sound art, typography, and installation. He worked across Dadaism, Constructivism, and Surrealism, often simultaneously. He was largely neglected by the time he died.
He was born in Hanover in 1887, an only child whose father ran a ladies' clothing shop. He suffered from epilepsy throughout his life. He fled to Norway in 1937, then to Scotland in 1940, where he was classified as an enemy alien and interned in camps including Hutchinson Camp on the Isle of Man. While interned, he allegedly made small sculptures from leftover oatmeal.
His art, which he called Merz (a fragment of the word Kommerz), used collage, found objects, poetry, sound art, typography, and installation. He worked across Dadaism, Constructivism, and Surrealism, often simultaneously. He was largely neglected by the time he died.
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